DJJ officer accused of sexually assaulting inmates

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) A prison guard at South Carolina's Department of Juvenile Justice has been arrested on charges he sexually assaulted two inmates.

The State Law Enforcement Division says 28-year-old Gary Whisonant of Columbia was arrested Friday and charged with sexual misconduct with an inmate, assault and battery, and two counts of misconduct in office.

SLED says the inmates are 16 and 19 years old.

Whisonant has no listed phone number. It was unknown if he has an attorney.

Arrest warrants say the crimes occurred on the male campus. They accuse Whisonant of having sex with an inmate multiple times between Aug. 1 and Sept. 23, and of improperly touching another Sept. 23 on an activity bus.